Worker Killed in SW Oklahoma Industrial Accident
By Associated Press
September 27, 2018
Mangum, Greer County, OK
Authorities in southwestern Oklahoma say a municipal worker in Mangum has been electrocuted after coming in contact with a high-voltage power line.
Mangum City Manager Dave Andren said Wednesday that 28-year-old Charlie Albert McLaughlin died while loading a roll-off dumpster onto a hauler. Andren says the accident occurred when chain-link debris in the dumpster became entangled in a high voltage power line. He says McLaughlin was electrocuted when he came in contact with his truck and died instantly.
McLaughlin started working for Mangum's streets department in June. Andren says McLaughlin's death is being mourned by his co-workers and many others in the city of about 3,000 residents in Greer County.
Andren says the accident is under investigation by the Mangum Police Department and the Office of the State Medical Examiner.
The Mangum City Manager’s Office released the following statement regarding McLaughlin’s death:
“Charlie started working for the City of Mangum in the Streets Department in June of this year. He was beloved by his coworkers and we have received an outpouring of support from the community for the loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie’s family, his fiance, friends, and co-workers. This was a tragic accident and a loss to our community.”
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Obituary for Charles Albert McLaughlin
Charles "Charley" Albert McLaughlin, 28, longtime resident of Mangum, Oklahoma passed away September 25, 2018. Charley was born September 18, 1990 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City to Harley C. McLaughlin, Jr. and Cindy Lou (Wilson) McLaughlin. He was raised in Mangum and graduated from Mangum High School in 2010. Charley worked for several years at M and B Construction Company before starting work for the City of Mangum as a crew member in the street department in June 2018.
He enjoyed camping, carpentry work, fishing, grilling and smoking his favorite foods for his family and friends, but most of he loved spending time with his friends and family. Charley was known for always being willing to help others and he had the most contagious smile that could light up a room.
He was raised in the Mangum Church of God and was a current member of Living Water United Pentecostal Church in Mangum.
Charley is survived by his fiancée Haley Bryce, his parents Harley C. McLaughlin, Jr. and Cindy Lou (Wilson) McLaughlin, Brother Thomas James “T.J.†McLaughlin, grandparents Harley C. McLaughlin, Sr. and Alma McLaughlin, Aunt Debbie and Rick Long, cousins Shara and Dave Bratton, Stephanie and Jeff Burnett, and Grandma Juanita Mitchell.